Ants are one of nature’s miracles. However, these super-powerful, organized and intelligent social bugs can become a major bane if they infest your home and garden. They are voracious eaters that munch everything in their path. And needless to say, cause pain and discomfort if you get in their way!
While it is important to check the infestation, it is also important to stick to less harmful ways to tackle them. So, if you are wondering, “what can help with my ant problem” here are some of the most common plants that can help you say bye to the hardworking ant colony that has been living under your floorboard for years (without resorting to chemical warfare). Happy reading!
Flower Power: Plants that Keep Ants at Bay
But before moving to the list, let’s understand why do certain plants repel ants.
Ants are social insects that are the epitome of teamwork. They use a scent trail to track other ants to reach a food source. When ants stop for a moment to bump their heads into others (coming from the opposite direction), they communicate via pheromones or scents.
So, the trick to stop them from living rent-free in your property is to confuse their sense of smell. If an ant can’t reach the food source and back, there’s really no reason for them to infest. All the plants listed below use such smells to mask the scent trail that ants follow.
- Lavender
Not only do they look pristine (who doesn’t like their purple blooms), lavenders also have a very potent smell (the one humans use to make essential oil) that makes ants go crazy (and not in a good way). While growing lavender in pots has its challenges, it is not completely impossible. Simply choose a place that gets bright sunlight and is breezy. For starters, the French Lavender is a great plant to grow in homes.
- Mint
Even if you don’t suffer from a massive ant problem, growing mint is always a win-win. And these herbs are excellent ant repellents too! Choose from the many varieties of mint (peppermint, spearmint, apple mint, etc.), and you are good for an amazing cocktail starter pack. Just choose the right kind of soil (well-draining) and place the pots where they get 4-6 good hours of filtered sunlight.
- Rosemary
Another herb garden essential to make it to the list is the humble rosemary. If you love Italian food, you probably need a rosemary shrub anyway. Due to its distinct smell, which is too much for ants to bear, rosemary is a great plant to shoo ants away. Growing it is very similar to growing mint and is something even novice plant parents can try.
- Marigolds
Marigolds are an amazing ant repellent that double-up as cut flowers if you aren’t too keen on growing herbs. They have a distinct smell (try rubbing some petals together) that naturally deter ants from coming into your house. They grow well in direct sunlight and are relatively low-maintenance for flowering plants.
Summing Up
If you are struggling to keep the ant population in your property in check, these four plants will surely do the trick for you. If the infestation is too much, it is best to call for professional help.